Solved Windows 11 Home not accepting my Windows 10 Home key???


john1955 said:
Just because you bought a license key from a retail store does not mean it was a retail license key, they sell OEM keys as well and because of the price I would guess it's an OEM key and you already used it on the Win-10 computer it seems. If it was because it was already used you should have gotten a message that it was already used but you did not get that message so something else is up. Do what glasskuter said and buy another key if you want to personalize your OS. I ran mine for a year without activating. That's where I got my last key from and it works great
Click to expand...

Yes.

I'm starting to lean more in this direction now...

Considering the prices from the link @Fabler2 posted...

That would be a better option rather then dealing with the stress of putting this Windows 10 boot drive into the new PC, booting to it, and dealing with a million buggy driver issues from it suddenly detecting all new hardware, and only then discover that it still wont upgrade or worse yet, wont even let me reactivate 10 on the newer hardware...

Looking a the link @Fabler2 posted, they have a RETAIL Key for 11 Pro ... and its looking rather tempting right now.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7800X3D
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650E PH Riptide Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon RX 7800XT Nitro+
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 34" Curved
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro nvme m2 2TB
    Crucial P2+ nvme m2 2TB
    Samsung 970 Evo+ m2 2TB
    Crucial MX m2 1TB
    PSU
    EVGA Leadex Superflower G2 750w
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool 216 aRGB
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 aRGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata v2
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Hex V2
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7600X
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming B650E-E Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    ASRock Challanger Radeon RX-9060XT
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB nvme M.2
    Samsung 950 Pro 500GB nvme m.2
    PSU
    Superflower Leadex III 850W Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 500
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
Nazrex said:
Nazrex said:
What are the chances that I could take the boot disk from this Windows 10 PC...

Install it into the new PC and have that PC boot up to this Windows 10 installation...

Yea sure it'll go through the whole process of recognizing a new motherboard, cpu, etc.... probably mess it up a bit...

But THEN, I could go into "upgrade your Windows" and it would finally recognize that "hey this windows 10 can be upgraded to windows 11 and the system specs are good!" then have it go through the whole process of "upgrading" to 11 and "keep existing files etc" and having it do a clean install of 11.
Click to expand...

Install it into the new PC and have that PC boot up to this Windows 10 installation...
Click to expand...
You do what you gotta do to prove it to yourself but IMO, No chance at all. While both Both 10 & 11 keys are interchangeable when it comes to the same computer (ie hardware)in your case you're trying to activate on brand new hardware with an OEM license. Microsoft activation servers KNOW what hardware a license is tied to. You can't fool them. Usually the servers will pass activation with certain hardware changes, but you have changed ALL the hardware. It's a completely different machine that is in no shape or form an OEM machine..
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
glasskuter said:
You do what you gotta do to prove it to yourself but IMO, No chance at all. While both Both 10 & 11 keys are interchangeable when it comes to the same computer (ie hardware)in your case you're trying to activate on brand new hardware with an OEM license. Microsoft activation servers KNOW what hardware a license is tied to. You can't fool them. Usually the servers will pass activation with certain hardware changes, but you have changed ALL the hardware. It's a completely different machine that is in no shape or form an OEM machine..
Click to expand...

Oh no worries... I'm definetely leaning more in the direction of your original advice now... buying a new key...

Especially after looking at the prices on the website @Fabler2 posted earlier.

Its definetely a much more... affordable option there... tempted to buy the 11 Pro Retail key they have available, instead of another oem key... avoid this issue again 10 years from now when Microsoft decides to release Windows 29 & 1/2.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7800X3D
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650E PH Riptide Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon RX 7800XT Nitro+
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 34" Curved
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro nvme m2 2TB
    Crucial P2+ nvme m2 2TB
    Samsung 970 Evo+ m2 2TB
    Crucial MX m2 1TB
    PSU
    EVGA Leadex Superflower G2 750w
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool 216 aRGB
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 aRGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata v2
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Hex V2
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7600X
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming B650E-E Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    ASRock Challanger Radeon RX-9060XT
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB nvme M.2
    Samsung 950 Pro 500GB nvme m.2
    PSU
    Superflower Leadex III 850W Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 500
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
Nazrex said:
Oh no worries... I'm definetely leaning more in the direction of your original advice now... buying a new key...

Especially after looking at the prices on the website @Fabler2 posted earlier.

Its definetely a much more... affordable option there... tempted to buy the 11 Pro Retail key they have available, instead of another oem key... avoid this issue again 10 years from now when Microsoft decides to release Windows 29 & 1/2.
Click to expand...
I got the Pro Key from StackSocial for $9.97 and some change
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 (up to date)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i5 12400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z690 UA
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    On Board the Z690
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    43" Samsung tu7000
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG SSD 1TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    Thermaltake smart 500w 80+
    Case
    LIAN LANCOOL_205M
    Cooling
    Bunch of fans . . . :o) (lights dont work)
    Keyboard
    Unicomp: Ultra Classic White Buckling Spring USB
    Mouse
    M510
    Internet Speed
    50mbps on Ethernet
    Browser
    Fire Fox
    Antivirus
    Windows
    Other Info
    Love this computer but I still prefer Win-7 like I love my old Lazy Boy Recliner . . . it just feels better.
  • Operating System
    WIN-7-64BIT and Win-11 pro for testing on unsupported hardware
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3801 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77-HD3
    Memory
    16 GB - Crucial Ballistick 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3-1333 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VP278
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    4 - internal Samsung 2.5" SSD, 1 WD HDD 7200 and some external drives
    PSU
    EVGA 550w
    Case
    Old Gygabyte Tower
    Cooling
    Yes
    Keyboard
    Unicomp - UNIOP4A USB (like the old IBM Model H that I started with)
    Mouse
    M510
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows
    Other Info
    The only thing it lack is USB-3.2 on the front face but it has 3.0 on the back
Success!

I bought an 11 Pro Retail Key from Gamers Outlet for $8.

Entered the Key and poof, it upgraded this 11 Home install to 11 Pro and Activated Windows!

All problems solved, and just finished installing all the necessary drivers.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7800X3D
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650E PH Riptide Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon RX 7800XT Nitro+
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 34" Curved
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro nvme m2 2TB
    Crucial P2+ nvme m2 2TB
    Samsung 970 Evo+ m2 2TB
    Crucial MX m2 1TB
    PSU
    EVGA Leadex Superflower G2 750w
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool 216 aRGB
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 aRGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata v2
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Hex V2
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7600X
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming B650E-E Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    ASRock Challanger Radeon RX-9060XT
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB nvme M.2
    Samsung 950 Pro 500GB nvme m.2
    PSU
    Superflower Leadex III 850W Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 500
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
  • Like
Reactions: OAT

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    All Branches but Release
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Nitro ANV15-51
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 3200-4500 Mhz 8 cores x 2
    Motherboard
    Sportage_RBH
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphic / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    AMD/Realtek(R) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Integrated Monitor (15.3"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD 1920X1080 16:9 144Hz
    Hard Drives
    KINGSTON OM8SEP4512Q-AA 1TB
    Western Digital 256GB
    PSU
    19V DC 6.32 A 120 W
    Cooling
    Dual Fans
    Mouse
    MS Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Fiber 1GB Cox -us & 1GB Orange-fr
    Browser
    Edge Canary- Firefox Nightly-Chrome Dev-Chrome Dev
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Beta
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X751BP
    CPU
    AMD A9-9420
    Memory
    8 GB of DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R5
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1 TB
Nazrex said:
Success!

I bought an 11 Pro Retail Key from Gamers Outlet for $8.

Entered the Key and poof, it upgraded this 11 Home install to 11 Pro and Activated Windows!

All problems solved, and just finished installing all the necessary drivers.
Click to expand...
Two bucks cheaper than what I paid :cool:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 (up to date)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i5 12400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z690 UA
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    On Board the Z690
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    43" Samsung tu7000
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG SSD 1TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    Thermaltake smart 500w 80+
    Case
    LIAN LANCOOL_205M
    Cooling
    Bunch of fans . . . :o) (lights dont work)
    Keyboard
    Unicomp: Ultra Classic White Buckling Spring USB
    Mouse
    M510
    Internet Speed
    50mbps on Ethernet
    Browser
    Fire Fox
    Antivirus
    Windows
    Other Info
    Love this computer but I still prefer Win-7 like I love my old Lazy Boy Recliner . . . it just feels better.
  • Operating System
    WIN-7-64BIT and Win-11 pro for testing on unsupported hardware
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3801 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77-HD3
    Memory
    16 GB - Crucial Ballistick 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3-1333 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VP278
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    4 - internal Samsung 2.5" SSD, 1 WD HDD 7200 and some external drives
    PSU
    EVGA 550w
    Case
    Old Gygabyte Tower
    Cooling
    Yes
    Keyboard
    Unicomp - UNIOP4A USB (like the old IBM Model H that I started with)
    Mouse
    M510
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows
    Other Info
    The only thing it lack is USB-3.2 on the front face but it has 3.0 on the back
Most of us here always recommend Stack Social as it is a site sponsor and many of us have always had successful results from their vendors.
It's also handy that SS keeps record of all we have purchased through them in case we have issues in the future. No matter where you got your key, am glad you got a successful installation.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
glasskuter said:
Most of us here always recommend Stack Social as it is a site sponsor and many of us have always had successful results from their vendors.
It's also handy that SS keeps record of all we have purchased through them in case we have issues in the future. No matter where you got your key, am glad you got a successful installation.
Click to expand...

Thank you, and everyone else, for the help and advice!

Everything is back up and running great now...

Got my Docs, Pics, and everything all copied over.... got mey Google Chrome and Firefox Profiles copied over and now I have my Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max back, and currently getting Steam set back up!

I'm happy now! lol
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7800X3D
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650E PH Riptide Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon RX 7800XT Nitro+
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 34" Curved
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro nvme m2 2TB
    Crucial P2+ nvme m2 2TB
    Samsung 970 Evo+ m2 2TB
    Crucial MX m2 1TB
    PSU
    EVGA Leadex Superflower G2 750w
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool 216 aRGB
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 aRGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata v2
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Hex V2
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7600X
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming B650E-E Wifi
    Memory
    GSkill Flare DDR5-6000 32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    ASRock Challanger Radeon RX-9060XT
    Sound Card
    Whatever the motherboard has
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB nvme M.2
    Samsung 950 Pro 500GB nvme m.2
    PSU
    Superflower Leadex III 850W Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 500
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB
    Internet Speed
    ATT Fiber
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